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Photos: Ellen Rawlins
York produced a fantastic performance to demolish Durham’s 3rd team, which had previously sat third in the table, 6-0, and in all likelihood secure their safety from relegation.
York went into the game placed bottom of their division, occupying the sole relegation place, separated only by goal difference from Leeds 2nds, who they had been defeated by last week.
Despite initial reports suggesting that Leeds surprisingly beat table topping Durham 2nds, the margin of York victory helped them to overturn the deficit in goal difference and assure their place in the division for next year.
Last week’s performance was sub-standard, but this time out at JLD astro, York commanded the game, with a Laurie Torrington hat-trick helping his side to a crushing victory.
York enjoyed the perfect start, when good stick skills by captain Henry Meller won his side a short corner with only two minutes on the clock. Torrington stepped up, and powerfully drag flicked into the bottom left corner to give the home side the early advantage.
York continued to start promisingly and a reverse shot by Leo Watton called the Durham keeper into action, on what was to be a busy day for him. Durham had their moments though and threatened going forward, particularly on the counter.
A fantastic piece of individual play by Hugo Christie though turned one such Durham attack into a York chance. Winning the ball inside his own half, he burst forward, played a lovely one-two with Watton, before flashing his shot across goal and wide.
York continued to pass the ball well, moving the play around and exploiting the full width of the pitch. However gradually Durham began to pull themselves back into the game, dominating the play, as York endured a sloppy spell where they frequently squandered possession.
‘Keeper Harriman was called on to make an excellent double save, whilst crucial challenges were put in by James Branton and Matthew Foakes. At the other end Kris Siva was denied by a sprawling save by the visitors’ keeper. York were indebted to a series of fabulous Christie tackles, and cutting passes.
Not long before half time, out of nowhere York doubled their advantage, with Torrington’s ball in deftly deflected home by Watton. Durham responded by winning a short corner, but under pressure from the hard working George Richards, it was drag flicked wide. At half time, a slightly fortunate York led an even match 2-0.
In the second half, York were outstanding, and it didn’t take them long to score a third goal. Meller once more displayed excellent skills down the left, winning a short corner. Christie’s injection was returned to him by Watton, and the defender clipped it home to put York in a very strong position.
Durham tried to respond, and despite enjoying a great deal of possession, they strggled to carve out any major chances, as Foakes and Jimmy Johnson snuffed out any danger from the Durham right flank.
A goalkeeping error fifteen minutes into the half sealed the game for York. The misplaced kick was intercepted by the threatening Watton, and he fed Torrington who slotted home, to put York four up.
A short corner was awarded against the exceptional Foakes, but nothing came of it, whilst the brilliant Watton helped York win two short corners, through his calm play, in close succession. Chances kept falling to Watton, who dragged the Durham defence everywhere, retaining possession skilfully. Twice he was denied by the Durham keeper, once after a defence splitting pass by the influential Christie, who was having a stormer.
Jammy Wilson also caused chaos with his purposeful running, and link-up play between him and Watton won another short corner for York. Once more Torrington stepped up, and drag flicked home, to complete his hat-trick and give York an unassailable lead.
Meller then rounded off the victory with a sixth, slamming home into the bottom corner from the top of the dee. The full time whistle went, much to the relief of Durham, who had been run ragged by the brilliant attacking play of York, who dominated throughout the second half, with Richards, Simon Lowen and Oliver Wheatley commanding the midfield.
There were a number of standout performers including Torrington, Watton, Foakes and Christie, but the whole team deserves credit for a superb performance. Jubilant captain Meller stated, “It was probably our best performance of the season, we were clinical, played positively and were fantastic at the back”.
Vision MOTM:Hugo Christie